Organic light-emitting display apparatus including multilayer auxiliary electrode and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: an auxiliary electrode including: a first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer having a resistance higher than a resistance of the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer includes an opening portion exposing the first conductive layer; a pixel electrode; a pixel definition layer disposed on the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode, the pixel definition layer exposing the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode; a first intermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode, the first intermediate layer including a first opening corresponding to the opening portion; an emission layer disposed on the first intermediate layer overlapping the exposed pixel electrode.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0170834, filed on Dec. 2, 2014, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

One or more exemplary embodiments relate to an organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus and a method of manufacturing the organiclight-emitting display apparatus, and more particularly, to an organiclight-emitting display apparatus which is easy to manufacture and hasexcellent light-emitting stability, and a method of manufacturing theorganic light-emitting display apparatus.

Discussion of the Background

In an organic light-emitting display apparatus, each pixel includes anorganic light-emitting device. The organic light-emitting deviceincludes a pixel electrode, an opposite electrode facing the pixelelectrode, and an intermediate layer interposed between the pixelelectrode and the opposite electrode and including an emission layer.According to the above structure, the pixel electrode is in the form ofan island patterned for each pixel, and the opposite electrode may be ina form that is integrated with respect to a plurality of pixels.

However, such an integrated form of the opposite electrode may cause anIR drop in the opposite electrode with respect to the pixels.Accordingly, unintended deviations in brightness may be generated in thepixels.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept,and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the priorart that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skillin the art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide the present inventive concept include anorganic light-emitting display apparatus which is easy to manufactureand has excellent light-emitting stability, and a method ofmanufacturing the organic light-emitting display apparatus.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description whichfollows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may belearned by practice of the inventive concept.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an organiclight-emitting display apparatus includes an auxiliary electrodeincluding: a first conductive layer; and a second conductive layerdisposed on the first conductive layer, the second conductive layerhaving a resistance higher than a resistance of the first conductivelayer, wherein the second conductive layer includes an opening portionexposing at least a part of the first conductive layer; a pixelelectrode; a pixel definition layer disposed on the pixel electrode andthe auxiliary electrode, the pixel definition layer exposing at least apart of the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode; a firstintermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrode and the auxiliaryelectrode, the first intermediate layer including a first openingcorresponding to the opening portion; an emission layer disposed on thefirst intermediate layer overlapping at least a part of the pixelelectrode exposed by the pixel definition layer; and an oppositeelectrode disposed on the first intermediate layer and the emissionlayer, the opposite electrode directly contacting the first conductivelayer through the first opening and the opening portion.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method ofmanufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus includes:forming an auxiliary electrode including: a first conductive layer; anda second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, thesecond conductive layer having a resistance higher than a resistance ofthe first conductive layer; forming a first intermediate layer on theauxiliary electrode; exposing the first conducting layer includesforming a first opening in the first intermediate layer and an openingportion in the second conductive layer by removing a portion of thefirst intermediate layer and a portion of the second conductive layer ofthe auxiliary electrode; and forming an opposite electrode on the firstintermediate layer and the first conducting layer, wherein the oppositeelectrode is disposed contacting the first conductive layer exposedthrough the first opening of the first intermediate layer and theopening portion of the second conductive layer.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concept, and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A and 7B are cross-sectional viewsschematically illustrating processes of an exemplary method ofmanufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus, according toone or more exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are cross-sectional views schematicallyillustrating processes of an exemplary method of manufacturing anorganic light-emitting display apparatus, according to one or moreexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an organiclight-emitting display apparatus manufactured according to an exemplarymethod of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus,according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an organiclight-emitting display apparatus manufactured according to an exemplarymethod of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatusaccording to one or more exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however,that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplaryembodiments.

In the accompanying figures, the size and relative sizes of layers,films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity anddescriptive purposes. Also, like reference numerals denote likeelements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,”or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on,connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or interveningelements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer isreferred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no interveningelements or layers present. For the purposes of this disclosure, “atleast one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the groupconsisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only,or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance,XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, theseelements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element,component, region, layer, and/or section from another element,component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer, and/or section discussed below could be termeda second element, component, region, layer, and/or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and,thereby, to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of anapparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to theorientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus inthe drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus maybe otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors usedherein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedexemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such,variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions,but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance,manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as arectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or agradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binarychange from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried regionformed by implantation may result in some implantation in the regionbetween the buried region and the surface through which the implantationtakes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematicin nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actualshape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A and 7B are cross-sectional viewsschematically illustrating processes of an exemplary method ofmanufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus, according toone or more exemplary embodiments.

First, referring to FIG. 1, an auxiliary electrode 210 a is formed. Theauxiliary electrode 210 a includes a first conductive layer 211 a and asecond conductive layer 212 a disposed on the first conductive layer 211a. Resistance of the second conductive layer 212 a may be higher thanthat of the first conductive layer 211 a. For example, the firstconductive layer 211 a may include at least one of silver (Ag),Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Platinum (Pt), Lead (Pd), Gold (Au),Nickel (Ni), Neodymium (Nd), Iridium (Ir), Chromium (Cr), and alloysthereof, and the second conductive layer 212 a may include alight-transmissive conductive material including at least one of indiumtin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide(In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (IGO), and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pixel electrode 210 may be formed inaddition to the auxiliary electrode 210 a. The pixel electrode 210 andthe auxiliary electrode 210 a may be formed on the same layer andseparated from each other, thereby being electrically insulated fromeach other. Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the pixel electrode 210 andthe auxiliary electrode 210 a are formed on a planarization layer 170(or a protective layer), the exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. The pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210 a maybe simultaneously formed, and the pixel electrode 210 may have the samestructure as the auxiliary electrode 210 a. Thus, pixel electrode 210may include a first electrode layer 211 including substantially the samematerial as that of the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a, and a second electrode layer 212 includingsubstantially the same material as that of the second conductive layer212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a.

As described later, the pixel electrode 210 directly contacts a firstintermediate layer 221. Accordingly, a contact between the pixelelectrode 210 and the first intermediate layer 221 may be an ohmiccontact. To this end, a portion of the pixel electrode 210 that contactsthe first intermediate layer 221 may include a light-transmissiveconductive material including at least one of indium tin oxide (ITO),indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In₂O₃), indiumgallium oxide (IGO), and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). The pixel electrode210 may have relatively lower resistance by including, in addition tothe second electrode layer 212 that includes the light-transmissiveconductive material, the first electrode layer 211 disposed under thesecond electrode layer 212 having a resistance lower than that of thesecond electrode layer 212. For simplification of a manufacturingprocess, the auxiliary electrode 210 a may be simultaneously formed onthe same layer as the pixel electrode 210 having substantially the samelayered structure. Accordingly, the auxiliary electrode 210 a mayinclude the first conductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer212 a.

Various layers may be formed before the pixel electrode 210 and theauxiliary electrode 210 a are disposed on the substrate. In FIG. 1, athin film transistor (TFT) and a capacitor Cap are formed on a substrate100, the planarization layer 170 is formed thereon, and the pixelelectrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210 a are formed on theplanarization layer 170.

The substrate 100 may be formed of various materials including at leastone of a glass material, a metal material, and a plastic material, forexample, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate(PEN), polyimide, etc. The organic light-emitting display apparatus mayfurther include a buffer layer 110 configured to reduce or preventintrusion of foreign materials into a semiconductor layer of the TFT, agate insulating layer 130 configured to insulate the semiconductor layerand a gate electrode of the TFT, an interlayer insulating layer 150configured to insulate source and drain electrodes and the gateelectrode of the TFT, and the planarization layer 170 covering the TFTand having an upper surface that is substantially flat.

A pixel definition layer 180 may be formed to expose at least a part ofthe pixel electrode 210. For example, the pixel definition layer 180 maycover edges of the pixel electrode 210. The pixel definition layer 180having openings corresponding to each pixels, exposing at least a partof the pixel electrode 210, may be configured to define each of thepixels. The pixel definition layer 180 may also increase a distancebetween an end portion of the pixel electrode 210 and an oppositeelectrode (not shown) formed later above the pixel electrode 210, andtherefore, the pixel definition layer 180 may be configured to reduce orprevent generation of an arc from the end portion of the pixel electrode210. Referring to FIG. 1, the pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a are formed on the same layer, so the pixel definitionlayer 180 may also be formed to expose at least a part of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first intermediate layer 221 may be formed onthe pixel definition layer 180, the pixel electrode 210, and theauxiliary electrode 210 a. The first intermediate layer 221 may beintegrally formed over a plurality of pixels.

The first intermediate layer 221 may have a single-layer structure or amultilayer structure. For example, when the first intermediate layer 221is formed of a polymer material, the first intermediate layer 221 may bea hole transport layer (HTL) that is a single-layer structure includingat least one of poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-3,4-ethylene-dihydroxy thiophene and/or polyaniline (PANI). Whenthe first intermediate layer 221 is formed of a low-molecular weightmaterial, the first intermediate layer 221 may include a hole injectionlayer (HIL) and the HTL.

Referring to FIG. 3, an emission layer 223 is formed on the firstintermediate layer 221 corresponding to the pixel electrode 210.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second intermediate layer 222 is formed coveringthe first intermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223. Accordingto one or more exemplary embodiments, the second intermediate layer 222may be omitted. For example, when the first intermediate layer 221 andthe emission layer 223 are formed of a polymer material, the secondintermediate layer 222 may be omitted. When the first intermediate layer221 and the emission layer 223 are formed of a low-molecular weightmaterial, the second intermediate layer 222 may be formed, and thecharacteristics of the organic light-emitting device may be improved. Inthis case, the second intermediate layer 222 may have a single layer ormultilayer structure. The second intermediate layer 222 may include anelectron transport layer (ETL) and/or an electron injection layer (EIL).

Referring to FIG. 6, a first opening 221′ and a second opening 222′ maybe respectively formed in the first intermediate layer 221 and thesecond intermediate layer 222 by removing respective portions of thefirst intermediate layer 221 and the second intermediate layer 222corresponding the auxiliary electrode 210 a, and an opening portion 212a′ may be formed in the second conductive layer 212 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a by removing a portion of the auxiliary electrode 210 a,thereby exposing at least a part of the first conductive layer 211 a ofthe auxiliary electrode 210 a. Referring to FIG. 5, the opening portion212 a′ formed in the second conductive layer 212 a, the first opening221′ formed in the first intermediate layer 221, and the second opening222′ formed in the second intermediate layer 222 may be simultaneouslyformed by radiating a laser beam onto a corresponding area of the secondintermediate layer 222.

For example, a laser beam having a power of about 45 mW or higher may beradiated by using a 355 nm UV laser beam to form the opening portion 212a′ in the second conductive layer 212 a formed of ITO having a thicknessof about 70 Å.

Referring to FIG. 7A, an opposite electrode 230 is formed correspondingto the pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210 a andcontacting the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode210 a through the opening portion 212 a′, the first opening 221′, andthe second opening 222′ respectively formed in the second conductivelayer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221, and the secondintermediate layer 222. The opposite electrode 230 is formed integrallywith respect to the pixels, covering a display region (active region).The display region may refer to area of the whole organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus from where light may be emitted, for example, anentire area of the organic light-emitting display apparatus except foredges of the organic light-emitting display apparatus in where acontroller, etc. may be disposed. When the entire area of the organiclight-emitting display apparatus does not include a dead are or anon-emitting area, the entire area of the organic light-emitting displayapparatus may be referred to as the display region.

The opposite electrode 230 may contact an electrode power supply line(not shown) disposed outside the display region and receive an electricsignal from the electrode power supply line. The opposite electrode 230may be formed of a layer including at least one or Lithium (Li), Calcium(Ca), Lithium Fluoride/Calcium (LiF/Ca), Lithium Fluoride/Aluminum(LiF/Al), Aluminum (Al), Silver (Ag), Magnesium (Mg), and alloysthereof, and/or a conductive oxide including at least one of ITO, IZO,ZnO, and In₂O₃. However, the structure and material of the oppositeelectrode 230 are not limited thereto, and the opposite electrode 230may be formed of other materials. Also, the layered structure may be asingle-layer structure or a multilayer structure and may have a varietyof modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

According to the exemplary method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments,since an electric signal is transmitted through the auxiliary electrode210 a having a high electric conductivity, and the opposite electrode230 contacts the auxiliary electrode 210 a, an IR drop, that may occurin the opposite electrode 230 when the auxiliary electrode 210 a isomitted, may be prevented or reduced. Accordingly, an unintendeddeviation in brightness in the pixels may be reduced or prevented.

In particular, the auxiliary electrode 210 a includes the firstconductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer 212 a, and theresistance of the first conductive layer 211 a disposed in a lower sideof the auxiliary electrode 210 a is configured to be lower than theresistance of the second conductive layer 212 a disposed in a upper sideof the auxiliary electrode 210 a. Thus, by disposing the oppositeelectrode 230 to directly contact the first conductive layer 211 ahaving a relatively lower resistance, the IR drop in the oppositeelectrode 230 may be reduced or prevented.

For example, the first conductive layer 211 a may be formed of Ag, thesecond conductive layer 212 a may be formed of ITO, and the oppositeelectrode 230 may be formed of Mg and Ag. In such a case, if theopposite electrode 230 is disposed to directly contact the secondconductive layer 212 a, a contact resistance may be about 170Ω. However,if the opposite electrode 230 is disposed to directly contact the firstconductive layer 211 a, the contact resistance may be reduced to about60Ω.

Referring to FIG. 7A, to directly contact the opposite electrode 230 andthe first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, atleast a part of the first conductive layer 211 a may be not covered bythe second conductive layer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221, andthe second intermediate layer 222. Accordingly, the second conductivelayer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221, and the secondintermediate layer 222 may be formed so that the second conductive layer212 a, the first intermediate layer 221, and the second intermediatelayer 222 are not disposed on at least a part of the first conductivelayer 211 a. In this case, however, a mask may be used for forming thesecond conductive layer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221, and thesecond intermediate layer 222. Accordingly, a manufacturing process maybe complicated, for example, to accurately align the mask and thesubstrate 100 with each other.

According to the exemplary method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments,the second conductive layer 212 a may be formed in the same shape as thefirst conductive layer 211 a, the first intermediate layer 221 and thesecond intermediate layer 222 may be formed, for example, on an entiresurface of the substrate 100, and the second conductive layer 212 a, thefirst intermediate layer 221, and the second intermediate layer 222corresponding to at least a part of the first conductive layer 211 a maybe selectively removed using a laser beam, and thus, manufacturingefficiency may be improved.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of an organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus, according to one or more exemplary embodiments.Although FIGS. 6 and 7A illustrate that the sizes of the first opening221′ of the first intermediate layer 221, the second opening 222′ of thesecond intermediate layer 222, and the opening portion 212a′ of thesecond conductive layer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a are thesame, the sizes thereof may be formed different from one another.Referring to FIG. 7B which shows a modified embodiment corresponding toportion B of FIG. 7A, since the laser beam is radiated directly onto thesecond intermediate layer 222, the second opening 222′ of the secondintermediate layer 222 may be formed to have a size larger than that ofthe first opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221. The firstopening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221 may be formed to have asize larger than that of the opening portion 212 a′ of the secondconductive layer 212 a. The first opening 221′ of the first intermediatelayer 221, the second opening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222,and the opening portion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a ofthe auxiliary electrode 210 a may have circular shapes. In this case,the above-described sizes may refer to respective radii of the firstopening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221, the second opening222′ of the second intermediate layer 222, and the opening portion 212a′ of the second conductive layer 212 aof the auxiliary electrode 210 a.

If the second intermediate layer 222 is omitted as described above, thefirst opening 221′ and the opening portion 212 a′ may be formed byradiating the laser beam directly onto the first intermediate layer 221to remove at least a part of the first intermediate layer 221 and thesecond conductive layer 212 a disposed on the first conductive layer 211a, and thus, at least a part of the first conductive layer 211 a may beexposed. The opposite electrode 230 formed corresponding to the pixelelectrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210 a may directly contact thefirst conductive layer 211 a through the first opening 221′ of the firstintermediate layer 221 and the opening portion 212 a′ of the secondconductive layer 212 a.

When the opening portion 212 a′, the first opening 221′ and/or thesecond opening 222′ are formed, as illustrated in FIG. 7, only a part ofthe first conductive layer 211 a may be exposed. For example, in thedisplay region of the organic light-emitting display apparatus, thefirst openings 221′, the second openings 222′ and/or the openingportions 212 a′, which are approximately circular, may be formed, and aplurality of parts of the opposite electrode 230 may directly contactthe first conductive layer 211 a.

The first intermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223 may berelatively weak to external impurities, such as moisture. Accordingly,when the first intermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223 areformed without the second intermediate layer 222, removing a part of thefirst intermediate layer 221 by radiating the laser beam may damage thefirst intermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223 along the aboveprocess. Accordingly, the second intermediate layer 222 may be disposed,and the first opening 221′ and the second opening 222′ may besimultaneously formed by radiating the laser beam. In particular, thesecond intermediate layer 222 including at least one of LiF and8-Hydroxyquinolinolatolithium (Liq) may improve the ohmic contact of theopposite electrode 230. In addition, the second intermediate layer 222including at least one of LiF and Liq may improve the weakness to theexternal impurities, and thus, damage of the first intermediate layer221, the emission layer 223, and the second intermediate layer 222during the process of forming the first opening 221′, the second opening222′, and the opening portion 212 a′ by radiating the laser beam thereonmay be reduced or prevented.

According to the above description, during formation of the openingportion 212 a′, the first opening 221′, and/or the second opening 222′,the second conductive layer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221,and/or the second intermediate layer 222 may be partially removed byradiating the laser beam. During this process, at least a part of anupper surface of the first conductive layer 211 a may be removed aswell, as shown in FIG. 7B. In other words, a groove may be formed in theupper surface of the first conductive layer 211 a corresponding to theopening portion 212 a′. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments andmodified examples may have a groove formed in the upper surface of thefirst conductive layer 211 a.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are cross-sectional views schematicallyillustrating processes of an exemplary method of manufacturing anorganic light-emitting display apparatus, according to one or moreexemplary embodiments. Elements of the organic light-emitting displayapparatus according to the one or more exemplary embodiments that aresubstantially the same with the organic light-emitting display apparatusillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 ,4, 5, 6, 7A. and 7B may have be indicatedwith same number and the detailed description of the substantially sameelements may be omitted.

According to the exemplary method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments,as described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the secondintermediate layer 222 is formed and, as illustrated in FIG. 8, anauxiliary opposite electrode 231 may be formed corresponding to thepixel electrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210 a. In other words,the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 is formed to cover the secondintermediate layer 222. If the second intermediate layer 222 is omitted,the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 may be formed to cover the firstintermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223. The above-describedmaterial for the opposite electrode 230, for example, may be used as amaterial for the auxiliary opposite electrode 231.

Referring to FIG. 9, a laser beam is radiated onto at least a part ofthe auxiliary opposite electrode 231, and thus, the first opening 221′in the first intermediate layer 221, the second opening 222′ in thesecond intermediate layer 222, a third opening 231′ in the auxiliaryopposite electrode 231, and the opening portion 212 a′ in the secondconductive layer 212 a, may be simultaneously formed, as illustrated inFIG. 10. If the second intermediate layer 222 is omitted, the firstopening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221, the third opening 231′of the auxiliary opposite electrode 231, and the opening portion 212 a′of the second conductive layer 212 a may be simultaneously formed byradiating the laser beam onto at least a part of the auxiliary oppositeelectrode 231.

Referring to FIG. 11, the opposite electrode 230 is formed correspondingto the pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210 a andcontacting the first electrode layer 211 a through the first opening221′, the second opening 222′, the third opening 231′, and the openingportion 212 a′ respectively formed in the first intermediate layer 221,the second intermediate layer 222, the auxiliary opposite electrode 231,and the second conductive layer 212 a. The opposite electrode 230 may beformed integrally with respect to the pixels, covering the displayregion (active region).

According to the exemplary method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments,since the auxiliary electrode 210 a is formed and the opposite electrode230 is disposed to contact the auxiliary electrode 210 a, an electricsignal is transferred through the auxiliary electrode 210 a having ahigh electric conductivity and thus, the IR drop, that may occur in theopposite electrode 230 when the auxiliary electrode 210 a is omitted,may be prevented or reduced. As a result, the unintended brightnessdeviation in the pixels may be reduced or prevented.

In particular, the auxiliary electrode 210 a includes the firstconductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer 212 a, theresistance of the first conductive layer 211 a disposed in the lowerside of the auxiliary electrode 210 a is configured to be lower than theresistance of the second conductive layer 212 a disposed in the upperside of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, the opposite electrode 230directly contacts the first conductive layer 211 a having a relativelylower resistance, and thus, the IR drop in the opposite electrode 230may be reduced or prevented.

Also, the second conductive layer 212 a may be formed to have the sameshape of the first conductive layer 211 a, the first intermediate layer221, and/or the second intermediate layer 222 may be formed, forexample, on the entire surface of the substrate 100. The secondconductive layer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221, and/or thesecond intermediate layer 222 disposed corresponding to at least a partof the first conductive layer 211 a may be selectively removed using thelaser beam, to directly contact the opposite electrode 230 and the firstconductive layer 211 a. Accordingly, manufacturing efficiency may beimproved.

According to the exemplary method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments,the laser beam may be radiated after disposing the auxiliary oppositeelectrode 231 on the second intermediate layer 222, or the firstintermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223 if the secondintermediate layer 222 is omitted formed. Accordingly, the laser beam isradiated after the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 is disposed on thefirst intermediate layer 221, the second intermediate layer 222, and/orthe emission layer 223, which may be weak to the external impurities,damage to the first intermediate layer 221, the second intermediatelayer 222, and/or the emission layer 223 may be reduced compared toradiating the laser beam onto the first intermediate layer 221 and/orthe second intermediate layer 222 without disposing the auxiliaryopposite electrode 231, and thus, a manufacturing defect may be reduced.

According to the exemplary method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments,a part of the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 may be removed byradiating the laser beam onto the auxiliary opposite electrode 231.Accordingly, forming the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 relativelythin may facilitate the above removing. On the other hand, if the lightgenerated by the emission layer 223 is emitted to the outside throughthe substrate 100, the opposite electrode 230 may be formed relativelythick considering an electric conductivity, etc. As a result, theopposite electrode 230 may be formed thicker than the auxiliary oppositeelectrode 231.

If the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 and the opposite electrode 230are formed of the same material, the auxiliary opposite electrode 231and the opposite electrode 230 may show any boundary therebetween in afinal product according to a process condition. In this case, theauxiliary opposite electrode 231 and the opposite electrode 230 may becollectively referred to as the opposite electrode 230. Referring toFIG. 12, a thickness t2 of a part of the opposite electrode 230corresponding to a center portion of the first opening 221′ may appearto be smaller than a thickness t1 of a part of the opposite electrode230 corresponding to a center portion of the pixel electrode 210. Thisis because the opposite electrode 230 formed in the part on the pixelelectrode 210 includes two layers of the auxiliary opposite electrode231 and the opposite electrode 230, and the opposite electrode 230formed in the center portion of the first opening 221′ includes onelayer of the opposite electrode 230.

Although the exemplary embodiments illustrate that the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a is disposed in the same layer as the pixel electrode210, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, theauxiliary electrode 210 a may be located at the same layer as the sourceelectrode and/or drain electrode, which are electrodes of the TFT. Inthis case, the auxiliary electrode 210 a is covered with theplanarization layer 170. In this case, an opening may be formed in theplanarization layer 170 to expose at least a part of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a. The opening may be formed simultaneously with a viahole, through which the pixel electrode 210 contacts the sourceelectrode and/or drain electrode of the TFT. A portion of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a that is not covered by the planarization layer 170 maybe exposed by the pixel definition layer 180 as well. The subsequentprocesses may be substantially the same as or similar to those describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, except for the fact that the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a is disposed in different layers.

Although the exemplary embodiments above illustrates that the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a has a dual layer structure including the firstconductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer 212 a, theexemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a may have a multilayer structure including three or morelayers. For example, referring to FIG. 13, the auxiliary electrode 210 amay include the first conductive layer 211 a, the second conductivelayer 212 a disposed on the first conductive layer 211 a and havingresistance higher than that of the first conductive layer 211 a, and athird conductive layer 213 a disposed under the first conductive layer211 a and having resistance higher than that of the first conductivelayer 211 a. The second conductive layer 212 a and the third conductivelayer 213 a may include the same material. For example, the firstconductive layer 211 a may include at least one of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd,Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and alloys thereof, and the second conductive layer212 a and the third conductive layer 213 a may include alight-transmissive conductive material including at least one of indiumtin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide(In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (IGO), and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO).

When the auxiliary electrode 210 a is located at the same layer as thepixel electrode 210, the pixel electrode 210 may have the same structureas that of the auxiliary electrode 210 a. The pixel electrode 210 mayinclude the first electrode layer 211 including the same material asthat of the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210a, the second electrode layer 212 disposed on the first electrode layer211 and including the same material as that of the second conductivelayer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, a third electrode layer213 disposed under the first electrode layer 211 and including the samematerial as that of the third conductive layer 213 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a. For reference, each of the auxiliary electrode 210 aand the pixel electrode 210 may have a triple layer structure as above,so that the pixel electrode 210 may contact the source electrode and/ordrain electrode of the TFT thereunder, forming an ohmic contact. Inother words, the pixel electrode 210 may include the third electrodelayer 213, and the third electrode layer 213 may directly contact thesource electrode and/or drain electrode of the TFT, forming an ohmiccontact. For reference, the source electrode and/or drain electrode maybe formed of a variety of conductive materials and may have a triplelayer structure of, for example, Al/Ti/Al.

In the above case, the opening portion 212 a′ is formed in the secondconductive layer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, and theopposite electrode 230 may directly contact the first conductive layer211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a through the first opening 221′ ofthe first intermediate layer 221 and the opening portion 212 a′ of thesecond conductive layer 212 a. If the second intermediate layer 222 isdisposed, the opposite electrode 230 may directly contact the firstconductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a through thefirst opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221, the secondopening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222, and the openingportion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a. If the auxiliaryopposite electrode 231 is disposed, the opposite electrode 230 maydirectly contact the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a through the first opening 221′ of the first intermediatelayer 221, the second opening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222,the third opening 231′ of the auxiliary opposite electrode 231, and theopening portion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a.

The exemplary embodiments are not limited to the above describedexemplary methods for manufacturing an organic light-emitting displayapparatus according to the exemplary embodiments. For example, theexemplary embodiments also include the organic light-emitting displayapparatus manufactured by the above exemplary methods.

For example, an organic light-emitting display apparatus according toone or more exemplary embodiments may have a configuration asillustrated in FIG. 7A.

The organic light-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments includes the auxiliary electrode 210 a including the firstconductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer 212 a disposed onthe first conductive layer 211 a. The second conductive layer 212 a hasthe opening portion 212 a′ that exposes the first conductive layer 211a. Also, the resistance of the second conductive layer 212 a may behigher than that of the first conductive layer 211 a. For example, thefirst conductive layer 211 a may include at least one of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt,Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and alloys thereof, and the second conductivelayer 212 a may include a light-transmissive conductive materialincluding at least one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide(IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide(IGO), and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7A, the organic light-emitting displayapparatus according to the exemplary embodiments includes the pixelelectrode 210 in addition to the auxiliary electrode 210 a. In detail,the organic light-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments may include the pixel electrode 210 that is disposed on thesame layer as the auxiliary electrode 210 a, separated and electricallyinsulated from the auxiliary electrode 210 a. Although FIG. 1illustrates that the pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210aare disposed on the planarization layer 170, the exemplary embodimentsare not limited thereto. Thus, the pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a disposed on the same layer may have the same structure.In other words, the pixel electrode 210 may include the first electrodelayer 211 including substantially the same material as that of the firstconductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, and the secondelectrode layer 212 disposed on the first electrode layer 211, includingsubstantially the same material as that of the second conductive layer212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a.

The organic light-emitting display apparatus may include the pixeldefinition layer 180, and at least a part of the pixel electrode 210 andat least a part of the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a may be exposed, and the opposite electrode 230 disposedcorresponding to the pixel electrode 210 and the auxiliary electrode 210a and directly contacting the first conductive layer 211 a of theauxiliary electrode 210 a.

The organic light-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments may include the first intermediate layer 221 and the secondintermediate layer 222. The first intermediate layer 221 and the secondintermediate layer 222 are disposed on the pixel definition layer 180,the pixel electrode 210, and the auxiliary electrode 210 a. The emissionlayer 223 may be interposed between the first intermediate layer 221 andthe second intermediate layer 222 corresponding to the pixel electrode210. To directly contact the first conductive layer 211 a of theauxiliary electrode 210 a and the opposite electrode 230, the firstintermediate layer 221 and the second intermediate layer 222 may havethe first opening 221′ and the second opening 222′ corresponding to theopening portion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a of theauxiliary electrode 210 a. The second intermediate layer 222 may beomitted.

The organic light-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments includes the auxiliary electrode 210 a and the oppositeelectrode 230 directly contacts the auxiliary electrode 210 a, so theelectric signal may be transmitted through the auxiliary electrode 210 ahaving a high electric conductivity, and thus, the IR drop, that mayoccur in the opposite electrode 230 when the auxiliary electrode 210 adoes not exist, may be prevented or reduced. Accordingly, the unintendedbrightness deviation in a plurality of pixels may be reduced orprevented.

In particular, the auxiliary electrode 210 a includes the firstconductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer 212 a, and theresistance of the first conductive layer 211 a disposed in the lowerside of the auxiliary electrode 210 a is lower than that of the secondconductive layer 212 a disposed in the higher side of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a. The opposite electrode 230 directly contacts the firstconductive layer 211 a having a lower resistance, and thus the IR dropin the opposite electrode 230 may be prevented or reduced.

As described above, to directly contact the opposite electrode 230 andthe first conductive layer 211 a, the second conductive layer 212 a, thefirst intermediate layer 221, and/or the second intermediate layer 222,may respectively include the opening portion 212 a′, the first opening221′, and/or the second opening 222′ formed in respective portionscorresponding with the first conductive layer 211 a to expose at least apart of the first conductive layer 211 a. A manufacturing yield may beincreased by forming the above openings by forming the second conductivelayer 212 a having substantially the same pattern as that of the firstconductive layer 211 a, forming the first intermediate layer 221 and/orthe second intermediate layer 222 on the entire surface of the substrate100, and radiating a laser beam onto a predetermined portion to removeat least parts of the second conductive layer 212 a, the firstintermediate layer 221, and/or the second intermediate layer 222corresponding with the first conductive layer 211 a. Accordingly, in theorganic light-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments, a part of the first intermediate layer 221 and the secondintermediate layer 222 respectively adjacent to the first opening 221′and the second opening 222′ may be deteriorated or degraded fromexposure to heat.

Although FIG. 7A illustrates that the sizes of the first opening 221′ ofthe first intermediate layer 221, the second opening 222′ of the secondintermediate layer 222, and the opening portion 212 a′ of the secondconductive layer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a are identical toone another, this is merely for convenience of explanation and the sizesof the openings may be formed different from one another. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 7B, since the laser beam is directly radiatedonto the second intermediate layer 222, the second opening 222′ of thesecond intermediate layer 222 may be formed to have a size larger thanthat of the first opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221. Thefirst opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221 may be formed tohave a size larger than that of the opening portion 212 a′ of the secondconductive layer 212 a. Each of the first opening 221′ of the firstintermediate layer 221, the second opening 222′ of the secondintermediate layer 222, and the opening portion 212 a′ of the secondconductive layer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a may have acircular shape. In this case, the above-described sizes may refer torespective radii of the first opening 221′ of the first intermediatelayer 221, the second opening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222,and the opening portion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a ofthe auxiliary electrode 210 a. Since the first opening 221′, the secondopening 222′, and the opening portion 212 a′ are formed at the sametime, the centers of the openings may be aligned with each other.

When the first opening 221′, the second opening 222′, and/or the openingportion 212 a′ are formed, only a part of the first conductive layer 211a may be exposed as illustrated in FIG. 7A. For example, by forming aplurality of the first openings 221′, the second openings 222′, and/orthe opening portions 212 a′, which are approximately circular, in thedisplay region of the organic light-emitting display apparatus, aplurality of portions of the opposite electrode 230 may directly contactthe first conductive layer 211 a.

As described above, during the formation of the opening portion 212 a′,the first opening 221′, and/or the second opening 222′, respectively,the second conductive layer 212 a, the first intermediate layer 221,and/or the second intermediate layer 222 may be partially removed byradiating the laser beam, at least a part of the upper surface of thefirst conductive layer 211 a may be removed as well in the process. Inother words, a groove may be formed in the upper surface of the firstconductive layer 211 a corresponding to the opening portion 212 a′.Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments and modified examples may have agroove formed in the upper surface of the first conductive layer 211 a,as shown in FIG. 7B.

The first intermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223 may berelatively weak to the external impurities, such as moisture.Accordingly, when the first intermediate layer 221 and the emissionlayer 223 are formed without the second intermediate layer 222, removinga part of the first intermediate layer 221 by radiating the laser beammay damage the first intermediate layer 221 and the emission layer 223along the above process. Accordingly, the second intermediate layer 222may be disposed, and the first opening 221′ and the second opening 222′are simultaneously formed by radiating the laser beam. In particular,the second intermediate layer 222 including at least one of LiF and Liqmay improve the ohmic contact of the opposite electrode 230. Inaddition, the second intermediate layer 222 including at least any oneof LiF and Liq may improve the weakness to the foreign impurities. Thus,the damage to the first intermediate layer 221, the emission layer 223,and the second intermediate layer 222 during the process of forming thefirst opening 221′, the second opening 222′, and the opening portion 212a′ by radiating the laser beam thereon may be reduced or prevented.

An organic light-emitting display apparatus according to one or moreexemplary embodiments may have a configuration as illustrated in FIG.11. In other words, the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 may be furtherinterposed between the opposite electrode 230 and the first intermediatelayer 221 to contact the opposite electrode 230, having the thirdopening 231′ corresponding to the first opening 221′ of the firstintermediate layer 221. In other words, the auxiliary opposite electrode231 may be disposed correspond to the opposite electrode 230 except in aportion of the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 that overlaps with thefirst opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221.

The organic light-emitting display apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments may prevent or reduce the IR drop of the opposite electrode230 by providing the auxiliary electrode 210 a. In addition, theauxiliary opposite electrode 231 may protect the first intermediatelayer 221, the emission layer 223, and/or the second intermediate layer222 during forming the opening portion 212 a′ of the second conductivelayer 212 a, the first opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221,and/or the second opening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222 areformed, and thus, damages to the first intermediate layer 221, theemission layer 223, and/or the second intermediate layer 222 may bereduced or prevented. The thickness of the auxiliary opposite electrode231 may be smaller than that of the opposite electrode 230.

Referring to FIG. 12, the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 and theopposite electrode 230 may be integrally formed. In this case, thethickness t2 of the part of the opposite electrode 230 corresponding tothe center portion of the first opening 221′ may be smaller than thethickness t1 of the part of the opposite electrode 230 corresponding toa center portion of the pixel electrode 210. This is because theopposite electrode 230 formed in the part on the pixel electrode 210includes two layers of the auxiliary opposite electrode 231 and theopposite electrode 230, and the opposite electrode 230 is formed in thecenter portion of the first opening 221′ includes one layer of theopposite electrode 230.

Although the exemplary embodiments illustrate that the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a is disposed in the same layer as the pixel electrode210, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, theauxiliary electrode 210 a may be located at the same layer as the sourceelectrode and/or drain electrode, which are electrodes of the TFT. Inthis case, the auxiliary electrode 210 a is covered with theplanarization layer 170. In this case, an opening may be formed in theplanarization layer 170 to expose at least a part of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a. The opening may be formed simultaneously with a viahole, through which the pixel electrode 210 contacts the sourceelectrode and/or drain electrode of the TFT. A portion of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a that is not covered by the planarization layer 170 maybe exposed by the pixel definition layer 180 as well. The subsequentprocesses may be substantially the same as or similar to those describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, except for the fact that the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a is disposed in different layers.

Although the exemplary embodiments above illustrated that the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a has a dual layer structure including the firstconductive layer 211 a and the second conductive layer 212 a, theexemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a may have a multilayer structure including three or morelayers. For example, referring to FIG. 13, the auxiliary electrode 210 amay include the first conductive layer 211 a, the second conductivelayer 212 a disposed on the first conductive layer 211 a and havingresistance higher than that of the first conductive layer 211 a, and thethird conductive layer 213 a disposed under the first conductive layer211 a and having resistance higher than that of the first conductivelayer 211 a. The second conductive layer 212 a and the third conductivelayer 213 a may include the same material. For example, the firstconductive layer 211 a may include at least one of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd,Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and alloys thereof, and the second conductive layer212 a and the third conductive layer 213 a may include alight-transmissive conductive material including at least one of indiumtin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide(In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (IGO), and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO).

When the auxiliary electrode 210 a is located at the same layer as thepixel electrode 210, the pixel electrode 210 may have the same structureas that of the auxiliary electrode 210 a. The pixel electrode 210 mayinclude the first electrode layer 211 including the same material asthat of the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210a, the second electrode layer 212 disposed on the first electrode layer211 and including the same material as that of the second conductivelayer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, the third electrode layer213 disposed under the first electrode layer 211 and including the samematerial as that of the third conductive layer 213 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a.

In the above case, the opening portion 212 a′ is formed in the secondconductive layer 212 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a, and theopposite electrode 230 may directly contact the first conductive layer211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a through the first opening 221′ ofthe first intermediate layer 221 and the opening portion 212 a′ of thesecond conductive layer 212 a. If the second intermediate layer 222 isdisposed, the opposite electrode 230 may directly contact the firstconductive layer 211 a of the auxiliary electrode 210 a through thefirst opening 221′ of the first intermediate layer 221, the secondopening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222, and the openingportion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a. If the auxiliaryopposite electrode 231 is disposed, the opposite electrode 230 maydirectly contact the first conductive layer 211 a of the auxiliaryelectrode 210 a through the first opening 221′ of the first intermediatelayer 221, the second opening 222′ of the second intermediate layer 222,the third opening 231′ of the auxiliary opposite electrode 231, and theopening portion 212 a′ of the second conductive layer 212 a.

According to the one or more exemplary embodiments, a method ofmanufacturing of the organic light-emitting display apparatus may besimplified and have relatively high light-emitting stability. However,the exemplary embodiments are not necessarily limited to the aboveeffects.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limitedto such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presentedclaims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. An organic light-emitting display apparatuscomprising: an auxiliary electrode comprising: a first conductive layer;and a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer,the second conductive layer having a resistance higher than a resistanceof the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layercomprises an opening portion exposing at least a part of the firstconductive layer; a pixel electrode; a pixel definition layer disposedon the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode, the pixel definitionlayer exposing at least a part of the pixel electrode and the auxiliaryelectrode; a first intermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrodeand the auxiliary electrode, the first intermediate layer comprising afirst opening corresponding to the opening portion, a portion of thefirst intermediate layer adjacent to the first opening beingdeteriorated from exposure to heat; an emission layer disposed on thefirst intermediate layer overlapping at least a part of the pixelelectrode; and an opposite electrode disposed on the first intermediatelayer, the opposite electrode directly contacting the first conductivelayer through the first opening and the opening portion.
 2. The organiclight-emitting display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first openingis larger than the opening portion.
 3. The organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus of claim 2, wherein a center of the first opening anda center of the opening portion are substantially aligned with eachother.
 4. The organic light-emitting display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the auxiliary electrode and the pixel electrode are disposed ona same layer.
 5. The organic light-emitting display apparatus of claim4, wherein the pixel electrode comprises: a first electrode layer,wherein the first electrode layer and the first conductive layercomprise a same material; and a second electrode layer disposed on thefirst electrode layer, wherein the second electrode layer and the secondconductive layer comprise a same material.
 6. The organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus of claim 4, wherein the auxiliary electrode furthercomprises a third conductive layer disposed under the first conductivelayer, the third conductive layer having a resistance higher than theresistance of the first conductive layer.
 7. The organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pixel electrode comprises: afirst electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer and the firstconductive layer comprise identical materials; a second electrode layerdisposed on the first electrode layer, wherein the second electrodelayer and the second conductive layer comprise identical materials; anda third electrode layer disposed under the first electrode layer,wherein the third electrode layer and the third conductive layercomprise identical materials.
 8. The organic light-emitting displayapparatus of claim 7, wherein the second conductive layer and the thirdconductive layer comprise identical materials.
 9. The organiclight-emitting display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the secondconductive layer and the third conductive layer comprise alight-transmissive conductive material.
 10. The organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second intermediatelayer disposed between the first intermediate layer and the oppositeelectrode overlapping the first intermediate layer and the emissionlayer, the second intermediate layer comprising a second openingcorresponding to the first opening, wherein the opposite electrode isconfigured to contact the first conductive layer through the openingportion, the first opening, and the second opening.
 11. The organiclight-emitting display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second openingis larger than the first opening.
 12. The organic light-emitting displayapparatus of claim 11, wherein a center of the second opening and acenter of the first opening are substantially aligned with each other.13. The organic light-emitting display apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe second intermediate layer comprises at least one of Lithium Fluoride(LiF) and 8-Hydroxyquinolinolatolithium (Liq).
 14. An organiclight-emitting display apparatus comprising: an auxiliary electrodecomprising: a first conductive layer having a groove in an upper surfacethereof; and a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductivelayer, the second conductive layer having a resistance higher than aresistance of the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductivelayer comprises an opening portion exposing at least a part of the firstconductive layer and corresponding to the groove; a pixel electrode; apixel definition layer disposed on the pixel electrode and the auxiliaryelectrode, the pixel definition layer exposing at least a part of thepixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode; a first intermediate layerdisposed on the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode, the firstintermediate layer comprising a first opening corresponding to theopening portion; an emission layer disposed on the first intermediatelayer overlapping at least a part of the pixel electrode; and anopposite electrode disposed on the first intermediate layer, theopposite electrode directly contacting the first conductive layerthrough the first opening and the opening portion.
 15. An organiclight-emitting display apparatus comprising: an auxiliary electrodecomprising: a first conductive layer; and a second conductive layerdisposed on the first conductive layer, the second conductive layerhaving a resistance higher than a resistance of the first conductivelayer, wherein the second conductive layer comprises an opening portionexposing at least a part of the first conductive layer; a pixelelectrode; a pixel definition layer disposed on the pixel electrode andthe auxiliary electrode, the pixel definition layer exposing at least apart of the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode; a firstintermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrode and the auxiliaryelectrode, the first intermediate layer comprising a first openingcorresponding to the opening portion; an emission layer disposed on thefirst intermediate layer overlapping at least a part of the pixelelectrode; an opposite electrode disposed on the first intermediatelayer, the opposite electrode directly contacting the first conductivelayer through the first opening and the opening portion; and anauxiliary opposite electrode interposed between the opposite electrodeand the first intermediate layer, the auxiliary opposite electrodecontacting the opposite electrode, wherein the auxiliary oppositeelectrode comprises a third opening corresponding to the first opening.16. The organic light-emitting display apparatus of claim 15, wherein athickness of the auxiliary opposite electrode is smaller than athickness of the opposite electrode.
 17. The organic light-emittingdisplay apparatus of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary opposite electrodeis disposed corresponding to the opposite electrode except in a portionof the auxiliary opposite electrode that overlaps with the firstopening.
 18. An organic light-emitting display apparatus comprising: anauxiliary electrode comprising: a first conductive layer; and a secondconductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, the secondconductive layer having a resistance higher than a resistance of thefirst conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer comprises anopening portion exposing at least a part of the first conductive layer;a pixel electrode; a pixel definition layer disposed on the pixelelectrode and the auxiliary electrode, the pixel definition layerexposing at least a part of the pixel electrode and the auxiliaryelectrode; a first intermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrodeand the auxiliary electrode, the first intermediate layer comprising afirst opening corresponding to the opening portion; an emission layerdisposed on the first intermediate layer overlapping at least a part ofthe pixel electrode; and an opposite electrode disposed on the firstintermediate layer, the opposite electrode directly contacting the firstconductive layer through the first opening and the opening portion,wherein a thickness of a part of the opposite electrode overlapping acenter portion of the first opening is smaller than a thickness of apart of the opposite electrode overlapping a center portion of the pixelelectrode.
 19. An organic light-emitting display apparatus comprising:an auxiliary electrode comprising: a first conductive layer; and asecond conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, thesecond conductive layer having a resistance higher than a resistance ofthe first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layercomprises an opening portion exposing at least a part of the firstconductive layer; a pixel electrode; a pixel definition layer disposedon the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode, the pixel definitionlayer exposing at least a part of the pixel electrode and the auxiliaryelectrode; a first intermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrodeand the auxiliary electrode, the first intermediate layer comprising afirst opening corresponding to the opening portion; an emission layerdisposed on the first intermediate layer overlapping at least a part ofthe pixel electrode; an opposite electrode disposed on the firstintermediate layer, the opposite electrode directly contacting the firstconductive layer through the first opening and the opening portion; anda second intermediate layer disposed between the first intermediatelayer and the opposite electrode overlapping the first intermediatelayer and the emission layer, the second intermediate layer comprising asecond opening corresponding to the first opening, a portion of thesecond intermediate layer adjacent to the second opening is deterioratedfrom exposure to heat, wherein the opposite electrode is configured tocontact the first conductive layer through the opening portion, thefirst opening, and the second opening.